Contrary to reports in Portugal, midfielder Bruno Fernandes started Sporting Lisbon’s pre-season started in his side’s pre-season friendly yesterday.

Correio da Manhã, had reported that the 24-year-old would be left out of the first-team squad in order to avoid injury ahead of a potential move to Manchester United, but Fernandes started and unsurprisingly scored in a defeat to Swiss side FC Rapperswil Jona.

Fernandes’ converted a penalty to open the scoring, as seen in the video on the club’s official twitter account below. It was hardly the most convincing of penalties and had similarities with want-away midfielder Paul Pogba’s nonchalant run up.

The Portuguese international’s part in the Sporting tour of Switzerland means it looks like no transfer to United will be imminent. Sky Sports reported that the Reds remain interest in Fernandes, with his side expected to command a fee of over £50m.

This is a deal we hope the club can pull off as Solskjaer desperately needs more creative options in midfield and Fernandes scored 32 goals in 50 appearances fo this side last year.